Recorded Webinar: Blended Family Dynamics: Parental Responsibilities and Rights in Family Law

There are many variations to the blended family. It can become difficult to determine when the law will recognise a person as a parent of a child. This session examines the parental status of the parties in blended family situations, along with the rights and responsibilities that follow. It covers:

• When is a child a child? Understanding what relationships the law recognises:
  • long-term foster children
  • non-biological children
  • adopted children
• What is the status of step children?
  • step children of marriages and de facto relationships –when do step children cease to be step children?
  • death of a natural parent or relationship breakdown– where does it leave the step parent?
• What are the legal parenting rights of non-biological parents?
• When will the court grant parenting orders in relation to a non-biological parent?
• Child support obligations towards non-biological children